This one is going to be short. Not because I believe the answer to our energy woes is simple, but because I don't have very many of them. Actually, I don't have any of them. These are more proposals than anything. And by no means are they complete or comprehensive.
1. Don't Drill Offshore. That's not going to do anything, and will only be a waste of money and resources, and perpetuate the problem.
2. Stop Subsidizing Oil. (Maybe using a phased out program, or a new law with a sunset clause). The problem is not just economic, nor is it just political, the root of it is cultural. And the only way the American people are going to cut down on their oil consumption is if it gets too expensive. Europe does it.
3. Develop alternate energy sources - immediately. Retrain people to repair wind turbines instead of a coal power plant. A variety of sources are needed, and that's not a bad thing. That's called security. If we can do it now and do it well, we can even sell the technology to other countries, and make a profit. Wind, Solar, Geothermal (on a small scale - I'm not advocating turbines over Old Faithful), even some Biofuels, and even (for a short time, as a transition) natural gas and coal. They are still exhaustible and polluting resources, but better as a transition fuel than petrolium.
Bottom Line - Get off oil. Get off now.
Tuesday, November 18
Tuesday, November 11
The Liberal Media
I was recently framed as a child-killer.
Not directly. It was passive association, really, and very vague. But it was there nonetheless. I don't know if anyone still watches 60 minutes, but last week, there I was, framed for killing children in Hong Kong by recycling computers. I didn't mean to.
Not that I'm really that upset about my association with that, I was trying to do a good thing, as was everyone else at that event. And, yes, given some research, I do believe that even the owner of the company in Englewood was trying to do a good thing. There were a series of steps that the box went through (and a variety of companies, not all American), before it got to Hong Kong.
I just think it's interesting that the media can so easily spin something that they claim as investigative to create a negative connotation regarding someone. They claim it's investigative journalism, they claim that they are trying to expose people who are exploiting others, to reveal the truth and bring justice to those who can't speak for themselves. But are they really being objective? Can they really uncover the truth?
The media, regardless of the image they try to convey, is a business. They have to capture and audience, and be interesting enough to generate a profit. And that's really what media is all about. It's just another integral part of our capitalist system. They have to find the stories that will generate the best pictures and capture the audience. So how much can we really trust the media? In that 60 minutes episode, what exactly did they leave out (or not bother to figure out)? And how come we give the media so much credibility? Was 9/11 a consipiracy? Is there information that the government is not giving us about the JFK assination? Not to critique investigative journalism, or uncovering the truth, but since Watergate and Vietnam, it seems like the media and politics have not been on the same side. FDR successfully used the media to win 4 elections.... but since then (although, some say Barack Obama's use of the internet is progressive) no politician has seen the media as an ally. So, although media sources can balance each other, it all comes down to this: What are we not being told?
Not directly. It was passive association, really, and very vague. But it was there nonetheless. I don't know if anyone still watches 60 minutes, but last week, there I was, framed for killing children in Hong Kong by recycling computers. I didn't mean to.
Not that I'm really that upset about my association with that, I was trying to do a good thing, as was everyone else at that event. And, yes, given some research, I do believe that even the owner of the company in Englewood was trying to do a good thing. There were a series of steps that the box went through (and a variety of companies, not all American), before it got to Hong Kong.
I just think it's interesting that the media can so easily spin something that they claim as investigative to create a negative connotation regarding someone. They claim it's investigative journalism, they claim that they are trying to expose people who are exploiting others, to reveal the truth and bring justice to those who can't speak for themselves. But are they really being objective? Can they really uncover the truth?
The media, regardless of the image they try to convey, is a business. They have to capture and audience, and be interesting enough to generate a profit. And that's really what media is all about. It's just another integral part of our capitalist system. They have to find the stories that will generate the best pictures and capture the audience. So how much can we really trust the media? In that 60 minutes episode, what exactly did they leave out (or not bother to figure out)? And how come we give the media so much credibility? Was 9/11 a consipiracy? Is there information that the government is not giving us about the JFK assination? Not to critique investigative journalism, or uncovering the truth, but since Watergate and Vietnam, it seems like the media and politics have not been on the same side. FDR successfully used the media to win 4 elections.... but since then (although, some say Barack Obama's use of the internet is progressive) no politician has seen the media as an ally. So, although media sources can balance each other, it all comes down to this: What are we not being told?
Monday, November 10
Taxes
With the recent election, I think it's interesting, all this buzz about taxes. I understand both sides, and don't really know if I truly support one side over another. But, I do think it's interesting to see the American People's reaction to taxes. Here in Denver, on election day, Denver Public Schools passed a tax raise to increase funding for their struggling schools. But in Douglas County, one of the more affluent counties in the area, a simmilar tax failed to pass. Hmmm.......
I think it's fascinating that the American people pay some of the lowest taxes in the world, and yet we continue to hold tightly to all that we have. Our schools are struggling, roads in disrepair, economy and energy situation in crisis, and yet $3.50 a gallon for gas is too expensive, despite already heavily subsidized prices. We have, in my interpretation, this sense of greed, general distrust, and entitlement. We want the best out of everything without giving anything. (I'm being cynical here, this isn't entirely true.) People are willing, in this struggling economy, to pay $1000 for a super bowl ticket, but not $200 a year in property taxes to assist a struggling community. Why is that? Why is it that we feel that we must be allowed to spend our money how we choose, despite the desperate need of some, and the failing state of some of our communities? How can people justify sending their children to schools that are failing to employ enough teachers and spend money doing frivilous things?
Isn't it the job of the government, and of citizens as members of a larger community, to hold one another accountable, to support one another, and to carry each other through times of crisis? How does keeping reasonable and logical taxes fit into that?
I don't pretend to have an answer, or know the solution. I am not an economic specialist (or a specialist at all, really). I'm just wondering. And what, if not raise taxes, are we going to do about our floundering infrastructure?
I think it's fascinating that the American people pay some of the lowest taxes in the world, and yet we continue to hold tightly to all that we have. Our schools are struggling, roads in disrepair, economy and energy situation in crisis, and yet $3.50 a gallon for gas is too expensive, despite already heavily subsidized prices. We have, in my interpretation, this sense of greed, general distrust, and entitlement. We want the best out of everything without giving anything. (I'm being cynical here, this isn't entirely true.) People are willing, in this struggling economy, to pay $1000 for a super bowl ticket, but not $200 a year in property taxes to assist a struggling community. Why is that? Why is it that we feel that we must be allowed to spend our money how we choose, despite the desperate need of some, and the failing state of some of our communities? How can people justify sending their children to schools that are failing to employ enough teachers and spend money doing frivilous things?
Isn't it the job of the government, and of citizens as members of a larger community, to hold one another accountable, to support one another, and to carry each other through times of crisis? How does keeping reasonable and logical taxes fit into that?
I don't pretend to have an answer, or know the solution. I am not an economic specialist (or a specialist at all, really). I'm just wondering. And what, if not raise taxes, are we going to do about our floundering infrastructure?
Sunday, November 9
Election
Barack Obama won. I'm sure everyone knows that by now, but the sound of it, a resonating "President Obama," still makes my heart sing. : ) Throughout my short life, I can recall very few political events, and none like this. In my much younger years, I vaguely recall the Monica Lewinsky Scandal, though I knew nothing about it at the time, and since then few snippets of political happenings. The 2000 elections with the Florida recount crisis, 9/11, the invasion of Iraq, the 2004 elections, and few political speeches in between. At the time, I did not even remotely understand the implications or importance of what was going on, the decisions that were being made. It was simply happening, and something that we tried to talk about in school without much success, or understanding.
But this year, this time, I remember. And I understand. It's phenomenal, the transformation I have seen in myself. I can remember the first time I heard Barack Obama's name, at a book signing in Denver in late 2005. And since then, I have grown from a skeptic to a passionate supporter. Finally, I've begun to think for myself, to realize my own political clout, as well as others. And the importance of the American political process.
The years in which I have grown up have been dismal, as far as political stance and pride go. Travelling, and hearing of others' travels, made me understand that America was hated, looked down upon, worldwide. I felt the need to defy American sterotypes, to bridge my heritage and redeem, by some small action, my corner of the American image.
Although the elections are over (and how delightful they were, on most counts at least) I know this has been incrediby important. I (as a young, liberally leaning woman) have found myself inspired by our President-Elect. His rhetoric, yes, played a significant role. But more than that, the way he speaks of America, of his hertiage, of his pride, has made me the most proud I have ever been. Although my life has been short thus far, and I indeed have not paid that much attention to politics until this election season, I have found myself fascinated with modern politics. Barack Obama has inspired me in a way I didn't know was possible, has brought me hope and pride I have never felt before, and has, for me, awakened my political drive.
Although it was a close race, with valid arguments presented by all, fought hard by both sides, it is over now. Despite the residual tensions, the anger and frustration by all about one issue or another, it is my hope that we can take a lesson from Senator John McCain. His gracious and heartfelt acceptance speech was humbling and refreshing, and it is my hope that we can accept our differences, pick up the pieces of this battle, and move together behind our newly elected president. Because if we don't, that will be more divisive than anything else.
But this year, this time, I remember. And I understand. It's phenomenal, the transformation I have seen in myself. I can remember the first time I heard Barack Obama's name, at a book signing in Denver in late 2005. And since then, I have grown from a skeptic to a passionate supporter. Finally, I've begun to think for myself, to realize my own political clout, as well as others. And the importance of the American political process.
The years in which I have grown up have been dismal, as far as political stance and pride go. Travelling, and hearing of others' travels, made me understand that America was hated, looked down upon, worldwide. I felt the need to defy American sterotypes, to bridge my heritage and redeem, by some small action, my corner of the American image.
Although the elections are over (and how delightful they were, on most counts at least) I know this has been incrediby important. I (as a young, liberally leaning woman) have found myself inspired by our President-Elect. His rhetoric, yes, played a significant role. But more than that, the way he speaks of America, of his hertiage, of his pride, has made me the most proud I have ever been. Although my life has been short thus far, and I indeed have not paid that much attention to politics until this election season, I have found myself fascinated with modern politics. Barack Obama has inspired me in a way I didn't know was possible, has brought me hope and pride I have never felt before, and has, for me, awakened my political drive.
Although it was a close race, with valid arguments presented by all, fought hard by both sides, it is over now. Despite the residual tensions, the anger and frustration by all about one issue or another, it is my hope that we can take a lesson from Senator John McCain. His gracious and heartfelt acceptance speech was humbling and refreshing, and it is my hope that we can accept our differences, pick up the pieces of this battle, and move together behind our newly elected president. Because if we don't, that will be more divisive than anything else.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)